iPhone trade-in scheme 'coming to UK Apple Stores soon'

Apple looks set to roll out its “Reuse and Recycle” trade-in programme in the
UK in the coming months, allowing customers to take their old iPhone into an
Apple Store and exchange it for some credit towards a new one.

Apple has been piloting an iPhone trade-in scheme in the United States since August. iPhones brought in for exchange are inspected by an Apple employee and the owner is asked a series of questions about the condition of the device in order to determine a value.

The owner is then offered a price based on hardware damage, water damage, and screen quality. The range is said to be around $120-200 (£90-150) for 16GB iPhone 4 and 4S models. A 16GB iPhone 5 in good condition could go for around $250, although prices could change before the programme is rolled out more broadly.

The value is then added to an Apple gift card, which can be used towards the purchase of a new iPhone. The trade-in programme is only applicable if the person is in the store to get a new phone, so they cannot just trade it for a gift card.

According to technology blog 9to5Mac, Apple has begun preparing training materials for its British retail staff on the Apple Store iPhone trade-in programme. A 'reliable source' informed the site that the initiative will launch in the UK in the coming months.

Apple has reportedly begun training a small number of UK-based stores on the programme, and the company plans to roll out the scheme in Apple Stores in other European countries "soon". However, it is thought that the UK launch could come before any other international countries gain the trade-in ability.

A number of third-party iPhone sellers already offer trade-in programmes. However, Apple chief executive Tim Cook is keen to sell more devices from Apple stores. Only 20 per cent of iPhones are sold directly from Apple Retail.

During the company's last earnings call, Cook said that he was “not opposed” to trade-in programmes, adding: “I see channels doing it, and I like the environmental aspect of it, and so that part of it really is encouraging to me.”

Although some of the third-party trade-in schemes offer a better price for old iPhones, it is hoped that Apple's programme will entice more customers into stores.

Apple also operates a recycling programme by mail, which covers a wide variety of products and is not offered in-store. If a customer wishes to trade in an old broken device for which there is no monetary value, they can do so as a simple recycle.